I think it’s safe to say we’re no longer denying the ‘preposterous’ idea of reality television not being exactly what we’d call… real. In the last decade or so, reality programs have slowly transitioned from passing as somewhat believable to blatantly set up and scripted. Why else would these shows require a writing team? A perfect example is MTV’s ‘The Real World.’

Now in its 25th season, the series has come a long way from the moderately interesting first season set in New York City. In its first ’92 season, cast members fought about legitimate roommate issues, such as forgetting to do the dishes or accidentally leaving the peanut butter jar cap off. Fast-forward almost 20 years later and we now see pregnancy scares, domestic abuse, alcoholism and every other outplayed media stereotype. Creators Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray must’ve caught on that what brings in positive ratings is real-life drama.

But where to draw the line between what’s real and what’s instigated by producers? After the network’s series finale of the reality show ‘The Hills,’ the camera dollies out to show a fully equipped film crew shooting the final scene on a professional lot in Los Angeles. MTV’s self-afflicted reputation of fooling the viewer into believing a fake story may have injured the validity of its other reality shows. This justifies the idea of the entire season of ‘The Real World: Las Vegas’ being completely staged and scripted.

Just take a look at the cast. There’s Adam, the 22-year-old ex-con coping with his drunken belligerence. He has a secret girlfriend from home, yet pursues roommate Nany, a 21-year-old with an ex-alcoholic mother and absent father. She splits with her boyfriend of six years for Adam and hopes to locate her biological father. Clearly it’s a match made in heaven.

Throw in Dustin, the 24-year-old cliché fraternity guy who was once featured on a gay pornographic website with other fraternity guys. Hiding this from his roommates, he’s kind of dating the sweet 21-year-old Heather, who at age 14 turned to alcohol as a result of her brother’s struggle with brain cancer.

Next up is the ever-so-outspoken Leroy, who is not afraid to say what’s on his mind (shocker for ‘The Real World,’ right?). Before Leroy went nuts and smashed nearly all of the house’s glasses, he had a sexual encounter with roommate Naomi, a self-proclaimed ’emotionally hard and defensive’ 22-year-old, also with parental issues. And to even out the absurdity is Mike, an religious, awkward, recent ex-virgin who still needs help ‘mackin’ it.’ Quite a mouthful, huh?

MTV has unsuccessfully rounded up what seems to be the fakest cast in the history of the series. Every interaction among the roommates comes off as excruciatingly forced. Every time Nany speaks, I’m curious as to how many times she has rehearsed her dialogue. Leroy’s outlandish behavior, which led to destroying the house,in reaction to Adam’s drunkenness last week was an Oscar-worthy performance. Dustin’s ‘sensitivity’ to conversations regarding homosexuality seems very much directed. Stop me if I sound too brutal, but watch one episode and you’ll see what I mean. Not to mention, there has to be a teleprompter feeding the roommates what to say in the confessionals. If not, then every single cast member is a producer’s dream. 

When tuning into this current season, viewers will be struck by the high-quality production value.

‘Visually it looks like a real television show,’ said junior finance major Kurt Yuen. ‘I forget that I’m watching what’s supposed to be real TV.’

According to its site, The Nevada Film Office assisted MTV in this season’s production. The prestigious company has done a wide range of well-produced commercials and TV programs, such as ‘American Idol,’ ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ and ‘Cake Boss,’ as well as a vastly eclectic list of films including ‘The Godfather,’ ‘Ocean’s Eleven,’ ‘Transformers’ and ‘Rocky Balboa.’ Judging from its track record, the company knows how to put a production together. Perhaps one can accredit this season’s composition to the company, which serves as another potential example that this Las Vegas season is fake.

Terrible actors, great cinematography and ridiculously far-fetched storylines — sounds like scripted TV to me. Maybe I’m being too cynical. Maybe MTV just spent some time casting genuinely good contenders and decided to hike up its production value. 

Or maybe not. Still in denial? Tune in Wednesday at 10 p.m. and see for yourself.

raparks@syr.edu

Published on April 17, 2011 at 12:00 pm